In a perfect world, drivers would never have to worry about being stuck on the side of the road, and mechanics wouldn’t be lining up to take advantage of inevitable wear and tear. Unfortunately, in the real world, service stations are doing quite well, and more than a few motorists find themselves struggling to raise enough money to pay for hefty repair fees. If you have a quality extended vehicle warranty, you are protected against potential problems. This type of protection is especially important if you own one of the following:

Older vehicles

As cars and trucks age, critical machinery begins to wear. Over time, this inevitably leads to breakdowns that can prove very costly and inconvenient. If you have a reliable extended vehicle warranty, minor and major repairs won’t even slow you down. Likewise, you won’t have to worry about dipping into your savings or going into credit card debt, because your policy will cover the expenses.

Pre-owned vehicles

When you buy a used car, you really have no way of knowing what it’s been through. Although dealers would like you to believe that a pre-owned vehicle was only driven to church once a week; in reality, most have seen their share of trouble. If you have a good auto warranty, you have no reason to fear the potential problems associated with used cars and trucks. These plans not only insure against unmanageable costs; they provide peace of mind that helps motorists sleep better at night.

When vehicles are running well, most drivers don’t give their engines a second thought. Unfortunately, when things go bad, sophisticated components within the engine can cost thousands of dollars to repair. Even if you keep up with routine maintenance, eventually, you can expect to face some sort of break down. If you have warranty insurance, you won’t have to pay for costly repairs that leave others in a bind.

Don’t be like the rest

Smart drivers recognize the importance of warranty insurance and live without the fear of unexpected electronic and mechanical failure. On the other hand, many drivers take a gamble every time they drive by risking huge expenses associated with even relatively minor breakdowns. Most people are shocked when a seemingly minor issue ends up costing thousands of dollars to repair, thanks to expensive diagnostic tests and complex computer systems that often require whole-scale reprogramming after the simplest fix.

CARCHEX can help

Once you see how warranty protection can save you from potentially crippling service fees, you need to ally with a reputable warranty company that can match you with an affordable plan that fits your particular needs. CARCHEX allows its customers to compare auto warranty plans, while protecting them from those that only offer limited coverage at unfair rates. Don’t work with just any warranty company; trust the experts at CARCHEX.

What has happened to the concept of Customer Service? We at CARCHEX remember a time when you didn’t have to spend 20 minutes pressing buttons on the phone just to talk with a live human being. Or even worse, spending 20 minutes in public shouting “OPTION ONE” into your phone, which makes you seem a tad bit crazy. Our promise of “Customer Experience Above All” means we will not let this happen to you.

We hope you never will have an issue with your extended warranty, but we want to make sure anyone who might have a complaint can be quickly and easily heard. Pat Goss explains what this CARCHEX Complaints difference entails.

Even though we don’t think it will happen, if you ever have an issue with CARCHEX, please visit CARCHEX Complaints for a fast and easy resolution of your problem.

It goes without saying that used vehicles and risk go hand-in-hand. No matter how good used cars look, there’s simply no way for buyers to know what they’ve been through and what type of service they’ve received over the years. If you’ve recently purchased a pre-owned vehicle, you need to protect yourself against potentially crippling repair fees by securing a used car warranty.

Who can you trust?

Used car dealers are synonymous with scams and shady sales techniques aimed at swindling consumers. Even if you find one you think you can trust; the fact is, more often than not, they don’t even know that much about the vehicle they’re selling. All too frequently, a trade-in spends very little time on the lot before it’s turned around and sold to the next customer. Don’t expect dealers to tell you if something is wrong with your vehicle. Likewise, don’t expect them to spend a lot of time testing each component to see if it is functioning well.

Ultimately, when it comes to buying used, it’s buyer beware. Unless you are an experienced mechanic who can size up a used vehicle with a keen eye for detail, you should get a used car warranty to protect against potential breakdowns and malfunctions.

Choosing the right plan

Not every used car warranty provides full-scale coverage. To get a quality, reliable service plan at an affordable price, utilize CARCHEX as your one-stop, trustworthy source for the best, most affordable auto warranty plans.

If you are planning to purchase a Mercedes, or if you already have, you may wish to acquire at least some level of extended coverage that goes beyond the typical factory warranty. On average, Mercedes are very reliable vehicles; however, when they do break down, repairs can be costly. If your Mercedes is fresh off the assembly line, you may not feel a need to secure extra coverage. On the other hand, if the car is used, you aren’t likely to know much about its condition and service record. In this case, you should consider purchasing a Mercedes extended warranty to help insure against potential breakdowns and minor electrical and mechanical problems.

Used Mercedes

Your used Mercedes may appear to be in good condition to your untrained eye; however, it could also have significant or minor problems that could prove costly in the long-run. Some models of Mercedes engines are built by hand and require knowledgeable master technicians for even the most minor repair jobs. Mercedes parts come from Germany, and aftermarket parts aren’t really an option. Even minor electrical problems in the car’s interior can cost a lot to fix. Used car extended warranties can offer protection against unforeseen problems that could put a substantial strain on personal finances.

New Mercedes

Although Mercedes provides a good manufacturer’s warranty on news cars, many customers are more comfortable with warranties that have fewer restrictions. A third-party Mercedes extended warranty can eliminate a lot of hassles by providing more service options. If you hate having to schedule repair times according to the dealer’s policies and specifications, you are likely to enjoy the freedom provided by a secondary warranty.

The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) is requesting that the FTC add requirements in car warranty information explaining denials. At this point, no warranty provider, manufacturer or otherwise, is required to explain to their customers why they refuse any given claim.

In two recent Consumer Alerts from the Federal Trade Commission, it was made clear that warranty providers cannot deny a claim because a consumer chooses aftermarket or recycled parts to replace damaged components. The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) is requesting that the FTC add requirements in car warranty information explaining denials. At this point, no warranty provider, manufacturer or otherwise, is required to explain to their customers why they refuse any given claim.

The two Consumer Alerts that relate to this issue are dated respectively in December 2010 and July of 2011. The first says clearly that warrantors cannot deny a claim for use of aftermarket or “generic” parts. The second gives recycled parts the same treatment. Neither these alerts nor the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act have a clear means to enforce these alerts.

Why Auto Warranty Denial Reports Are Important

According to SEMA, an auto warranty provider is obligated by law to test and prove that an aftermarket part is the cause of the problem in order to deny a claim. The issue is that they are under no obligation to tell the consumer what they discovered. This provides consumers with a distinct disadvantage in the claims process.

Without such a provision in place, along with explanations of how this would void a car warranty, the consumer could either blindly accept what could be an illegitimate denial or illegitimately seek dispute mediation or legal processes. It would save a great deal of time and money for both parties in the long run.

Car Warranties, Specialty Parts and Modifications

Of course, much of SEMA’s motivation involves coverage of installing specialty parts. According to the Magnuson-Moss Act, specialty components should be covered. The Consumer Alerts of December 2010 and July 2011 do not address this. Along with the accountability factor for aftermarket and recycled parts, SEMA wants assurance that specialty parts are addressed as well.

An additional benefit is the question of “modifications.” What a modification entails is often a matter of debate. There can be no doubt that adding nitrous tanks or tweaking the throttle position are modifications, but what about a strip of electrical tape to block a short on an alternator wire long enough to get the car in the shop? Without being required to explain a denial in full detail, a dealership can easily call this a modification and deny your warranty claim.

Complete disclosure of car warranty information before a claim is not only standard practice, but required by law. It only makes sense to extend this transparency to the results of a warranty claim, whether approved or denied.

You may have been offered a choice between an extended auto warranty and a lifetime warranty by a car dealer when you purchased your car. The dealer may have confused the differences between the two, and perhaps laid most of his pressure on the lifetime warranty. What you need to know is the difference between the two.

You may have been offered a choice between an extended auto warranty and a lifetime warranty by a car dealer when you purchased your car. The dealer may have confused the differences between the two, and perhaps laid most of his pressure on the lifetime warranty. What you need to know is the difference between the two.

Establishing the Baseline—What is an Auto Warranty?

When you buy a new car, it comes with a car warranty from the manufacturer, which is a guarantee (more accurately, an assurance) that if any of the parts covered in the warranty fail, they will replace it and repair the damage. That is, assuming you meet certain criteria, such as keeping the car maintained according to the factory specifications, if the repair is performed at a dealership and if you use the manufacturer’s parts, aka OEM parts.

When you buy a used car, assuming that it is Certified Pre-Owned (CPO), some manufacturers will provide specific extended warranties for some of these vehicles. The specifics vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, and they can range from providing limited Bumper to Bumper coverage to just covering the Power Train. Extended warranties are also available from dealerships and third-party providers.

Now, What is a Lifetime Warranty?

A lifetime warranty is much harder to describe than extended warranties and standard warranties. The main qualities are that the conditions and benefits are defined by the dealership, they are usually non-transferable, and all work has to be done at that specific dealership, or if the work needs to be done at a different location, the dealership has to approve it to be covered. Also, the word, “lifetime,” suggests that your vehicle is covered for the entire duration of its drivability, but there have been some cases where “lifetime” means only 100K miles. In short, you may never know what you are getting.

Dealerships have much more leeway when writing lifetime policies than they do extended warranties. If you are thinking about getting a lifetime warranty, it may not be just enough for you to carefully read the policy over before you sign up for it. Unless you are well-versed in legalese, you may want to have a lawyer look the policy over first. Better yet, it is probably for the best to just pass it over and shop around first. This goes for their extended warranties as well.

The Beauty of CARCHEX Car Warranties

Compared to the boiler room experience of dealing with a car salesman trying to push an warranty policy on you, shopping at CARCHEX is pure zen. Outside of the dealerships, so-called lifetime warranties are pretty universally discouraged, but an extended warranty is encouraged by manufacturers, car dealerships and third-parties alike are encouraged, and the sooner you buy it, the better.

So, if you have a manufacturer’s warranty, why should you get an extended auto warranty as well? First of all, you will lock into a lower price for your coverage. Secondly, a warranty from CARCHEX covers many situations that manufacturer warranties will not.

No one really likes shopping for contracted services, and that includes car warranties. Here at CARCHEX, we have taken all of the hassle of getting a warranty out of the picture.

No one really likes shopping for contracted services, and that includes car warranties. A lot of homework goes into it—you have to make a list of companies, you have to consider the pros and cons of each one, and in many cases, you have to deal with salespeople trying to pressure you into buying their service. Here at CARCHEX, we have taken all of the hassle of getting a warranty out of the picture.

Finding the Best Auto Warranty Providers

The first step in finding the best car warranties is to know who the best providers are. We have a list of the top five (including ourselves) warranty companies. We have also taken the liberty of doing a side by side comparison of us versus our competitors. After seeing this comparison, it only makes sense to choose CARCHEX.

One thing that may seem odd is that a business can have more complaints than another, but have a higher BBB rating. The reason that this can happen is that some businesses will actually work to resolve a complaint, and some will not. Most complaints are a result of a misunderstanding and are often easily resolved. At CARCHEX, we strive to resolve all complaints, and have a high success rate doing so.

Choosing Between Auto Warranties at CARCHEX

One of the things that really makes CARCHEX stand out among our competitors is that we offer policies from several providers instead of just one. You enter what you need in our database and several warranty providers will compete for your business. When you hear back from us, you will get to choose from up to three of the best policies available for your needs.

While you are on the phone with one of our representatives, you can look over the policies and choose the one that is most suited for your needs. If there are any questions you may have, you can ask our protection specialist to clarify any point in the policy. From there, it is up to you.

In the end, we are confident that you will be satisfied with your experience at CARCHEX. Our goal, in fact, is your satisfaction. We believe that choosing car warranties does not have to be a hassle, so we have done all the homework for you. Get a free quote from us, and you will see what we mean when we say, “Customer Experience Above All.”

For many people, filing any sort of paperwork, especially a vehicle warranty claim, is a difficult and tedious process. Much of this frustration and many denials could be prevented if the customer was savvy with claims from the start.

For many people, filing any sort of paperwork, especially a vehicle warranty claim, is a difficult and tedious process. They can see it as having to “jump through hoops,” “cut through red tape” and by the time the warranty company makes its decision, they are extremely frustrated. Now add the possibility that they may be denied, and you have an extremely unhappy customer. Much of this frustration and many denials could be prevented if the customer was savvy with claims from the start.

Know Your Car Warranty Policy Before You Sign

One common issue is that some customers simply do not know what is covered in their policy. While CARCHEX policies are written as simply as possible, it is still a good practice to thoroughly read and understand all documents before you sign them. This goes for the fine print, too. If you are unclear about anything in the document, be sure to ask one of our protection specialists.

It is also a good practice to study your warranty documents at least once a year. If there are any updates to your policy, make sure you read those, too. It is all too easy to throw your documents in the glove box or filing cabinet and forget about them. Then, when a component fails, you either search frantically through the document to find out if it’s covered, or you wrongfully file a claim. Either way, you save yourself a lot of stress by knowing what’s in your policy.

Extended Warranty Compliance: “If It Wasn’t Documented, It Didn’t Happen”

This is another major hurdle many people have with filing a claim. If you have an extended warranty, you have to keep up with all the routine maintenance, and you have to keep all the receipts. While warranty providers are there to cover component failures, they have to protect themselves as well. If the failure could have been prevented by keeping up with fluid changes and other routine work, it is assumed to be from the customer’s neglect.

Some people are simply not good at keeping up with routine maintenance. More people just think that a receipt is just a scrap of paper. These “scraps of paper” are proof that you kept up with your end of the contract. There is an old saying, “if it wasn’t documented, it didn’t happen,” and you should be prepared to see that saying in action.

What if My Car Extended Warranty Claim Is Still Denied?”

In this case, you probably do not have a CARCHEX auto warranty. But seriously, if your work is supposed to be covered according to the contract and you can prove that you kept up with the maintenance, but it is still denied, you do not simply have to accept it. There are ways for you to get your claim accepted at this point.

First of all, you can go through an informal dispute resolution. This is the first step before taking things to the courts. It is not legally binding, but usually warranty providers will go with decisions on this level. Also, if it has to go to court, taking this step improves your case, as it shows good faith on your part. While we don’t believe that a vehicle warranty claim should even get this far, it is a fact that many people have to fight with their warranty providers to get their deserved claims.

The model that CARCHEX uses will bring you the best extended auto warranty prices without sacrificing quality. There are also additional ways that you can use to further drive the cost of your warranty policy down.

The model that CARCHEX uses will bring you the best extended auto warranty prices without sacrificing quality. We partner with the best third party warranty providers in such a way that we can provide the lowest prices on top quality warranty policies while giving you the best coverage. There are also additional ways that you can use to further drive the cost of your warranty policy down.

We Make Car Warranty Providers Compete for Your Business

In an arrangement similar to LendingTree, CARCHEX has a bidding environment for its partner car warranty providers to make them compete for your business. When you enter your car information and coverage needs in our database, we send this information to the warranty providers. They then make their best offers.

After that, we call you so you can compare auto warranties and choose the one you prefer. We have already done all the homework in finding the best companies in the business for you. We have even gone so far as to drive down the prices.

Buying Early Makes Your Vehicle Warranty Less Expensive

Simply put, the earlier you buy a vehicle warranty, the less expensive it will be. Your car could still be under the manufacturer’s warranty when you buy a CARCHEX warranty. This may, on the surface, seem to be redundant coverage, but the benefits of buying one of our warranties this early go beyond locking into a lower rate.

There are situations that CARCHEX will cover that a manufacturer’s warranty will not. With CARCHEX, you do not have to hope that you break down near a dealership. You do not have to wait for manufacturer’s parts to get delivered before work gets started. You do not have to wait on a lengthy claims approval process to get the work paid for. When time is of the essence, CARCHEX delivers quickly.

Choose Your Car Wisely to Save on Auto Warranties

There are two extremities in the car market that most auto warranties will not cover. Those that do will make the policies cost more. Just like in insurance, some types of cars are patently a higher risk for warranty providers.

On one end, there are the lemons. Some makes are generally considered to be low quality vehicles, while others are limited to specific models and model years. For example, the older Kias are well-known lemons, but the newer models are showing some promise in shedding that reputation. Land Rovers and Jaguars are also considered to be unreliable, and often expensive to repair as well.

At the other end of the spectrum are the high performance and sports cars. The Mercedes AMG gets lumped into this category because the engine alone is $20,000. Porsches, Ferraris and the like are also extremely expensive to repair, and the tendency of many owners is to test the engine’s limits.

If you really want to get the most out of your extended auto warranty, you can hardly go wrong with Toyota and Honda. It also helps to research your vehicles in Consumer Reports. The better rating they have there, you can bet that your warranty cost will be lower.